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Let’s take a closer look at one of the prospects the Panthers could select in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Since it’s never too early to look forward to the NFL Draft, this weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2025 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker.
With the Panthers all but guaranteed to take a quarterback in the first round at this point, let’s expand our net a bit and look at a player who could be a late first rounder or early second rounder. Salisbury, NC native Jalon Walker fits that bill. He’s shown some versatility at the linebacker position, both as an inside linebacker and pass rusher. He’s become a key part of the Bulldogs’ dominant defense. He also shows up when it matters most: during the 2023 SEC Championship game against Alabama, he recorded two sacks and five quarterback hurries. He’s already amassed 4.5 sacks this season, just half a sack short of his career high set last season.
Walker is an exceptional athlete and has great size for the linebacker position (6’2”, 245 lbs). His versatility and motor make him a favorite of defensive coaches, allowing them to move him all over the field and confuse offenses. Walker is a strong tackler with high football IQ, and his solid coverage skills combine with his athleticism make him a weapon in coverage as well. The majority of knocks on Walker focus on lack of experience. His technique and play recognition can be a little inconsistent, but that’s picking nits. He also needs to improve his coverage skills, which aren’t bad, in order to really take his overall game to the next level. Otherwise, he may be more of an edge defender at the NFL level. If he reaches his potential, he could become a similar player to former Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu. Luvu was able to play inside and outside linebacker, and though he was limited in coverage, he had a knack for making dynamic plays against the run and as a pass rusher. Walker could absolutely make a similar style of impact.
What do you think, Panthers fans? If Jalon Walker is available when the Panthers select in the 2025 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!
